ACTIVE LISTENING
Active listening involves listening with all
senses. It is
fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively ‘hearing’
the message of the speaker as well as giving full attention to the speaker. It is
important that the ‘active listener’ is also ‘seen’ to be listening - otherwise, the speaker may conclude that what they are talking about is uninteresting to
the listener.
The way to improve your listening skills is to practice "active listening." This is where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but, more importantly, try to understand the complete message being sent
The way to improve your listening skills is to practice "active listening." This is where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but, more importantly, try to understand the complete message being sent
Signs
of Active Listening
Non-Verbal Signs of
Attentive or Active Listening
Smile
Small smiles can be
used to show that the listener is paying attention to what is being said or as
a way of agreeing or being happy about the messages being received.
Combined with nods of the head, smiles can be powerful in affirming that
messages are being listened to and understood.
Eye Contact
It is normal and
usually encouraging for the listener to look at the speaker. Eye contact can
however be intimidating, especially for more shy speakers – gauge how much eye
contact is appropriate for any given situation. Combine eye contact with
smiles and other non-verbal messages to encourage the speaker.
Posture
Posture can tell a
lot about the sender and receiver in interpersonal interactions. The
attentive listener tends to lean slightly forward or sideways whilst sitting.
Other signs of active listening may include a slight slant of the head or
resting the head on one hand.
Mirroring
Automatic
reflection/mirroring of any facial expressions used by the speaker can be a
sign of attentive listening. These reflective expressions can help to
show sympathy and empathy in more emotional situations. Attempting to
consciously mimic facial expressions (i.e. not automatic reflection of
expressions) can be a sign of inattention.
Distraction
The active listener
will not be distracted and therefore will refrain from fidgeting, looking at a
clock or watch, doodling, playing with their hair or picking their fingernails.
Verbal Signs of Attentive or Active
Listening
Reflection
Reflecting is closely repeating
or paraphrasing what the speaker has said in order to show comprehension.
Reflection is a powerful skill that can reinforce the message of the speaker
and demonstrate understanding.
Summarisation
Repeating a summary of what has
been said back to the speaker is a technique used by the listener to repeat
what has been said in their own words. Summarising involves taking the
main points of the received message and reiterating them in a logical and clear
way, giving the speaker chance to correct if necessary.
Provide Feedback
Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can distort
what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said.
This may require you to reflect what is being said and ask questions.
·
Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing.
"What I'm hearing is," and "Sounds like you are saying,"
are great ways to reflect back.
·
Ask questions to clarify certain points. "What
do you mean when you say?" "Is this what you mean?"
·
Summarize the speaker's comments periodically.
Although some positive words of encouragement maybe beneficial to the speaker the listener should use them sparingly so as not to distract from what is being said or place unnecessary emphasis on parts of the message.
Active listening - Benefits.
·
Active
listening shows respect to the speaker. It shows that you genuinely want to
understand his or her viewpoint.
·
It avoids
misunderstandings, as people have to confirm that they do really understand
what another person has said.
·
It tends to open
people up, to get them to say more.
Active listening is a skill that can be acquired and
developed with practice.
Dr Sangeetha Madhu , a clinical psychologist and Leadership expert & Shivani RK presenting articles related to well being, leadership/personal development, cognitive mastery, positive emotions, building resilience, and relationships.
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